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VER.THE 

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HUE  J-iOUSE 


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BY 

MRS.   E.    W.    ALLDERDICE. 


PUBLISHED   BY 

DENISON    &    COMPANY, 
37  PARK  Row,  NEW  YORK.      • 


Copyright,  1881, 

By  DENISON  &  COMPANY. 

All  rights  reserved. 


DEDICATED 

TO 
THE    HONORED     MOTHER 

OF 
PRESIDENT    GARFIELD. 


M191839 


PREFATORY  NOTE. 


|O  doubt  my  readers  will  remember  the 
touching  incident  of  Inauguration  Day, 
when,  after  his  speech,  which  awoke  a  throb  of 
sympathy  and  patriotism  throughout  the  length 
and  breadth  of  the  land,  the  President  turned  to 
his  venerable,  white-haired  mother,  who  sat  im 
mediately  behind  him  on  the  platform,  and, 
bending  his  head,  kissed  her  tenderly  as  though 
in  loving  gratitude  for  the  care  and  guardianship, 
which  had  finally  brought  him  this  crowning 
honor.  His  action,  and  the  feelings  it  aroused, 
moved  me  to  transcribe  this  little  Poem  as  a 
tribute  of  the  admiration  we  must  all  feel  for  a 
mother  who  realized  the  great  responsibility 
devolving  upon  her,  and  who  through  manifold 
trials  so  nobly  sustained  her  trust. 

E.  W.  A. 


OVER  THE  HILL  TO  THE 
WHITE  HOUSE. 


HE  way  was  steep  and  rugged 
And  the  hill-side  hard  to  climb, 

But  at  last  the  summit  greets  me 
In  the  steady  inarch  of  time. 


Three  score  and  ten  have  vanished 
Along  the  track  of  years, 

Some  have  been  bright  and  happy, 
And  many  filled  with  tears, 


8  OVER   THE    HILL   TO 

I  mind  me  of  the  winter 

Full  fifty  years  gone  by, 
When  my  husband  kissed  and  blessed  me, 

Then  laid  him  down  to  die. 

We  had  loved  and  wedded  early 
In  our  happy  time  of  youth, 

And  were  help-meets  for  each  other 
In  very  deed  and  truth. 

We  had  struggled  on  together, 

And  the  toil  seemed  sweet  and  light, 

When  we  sat  and  watched  the  gloamin' 
Till  it  deepened  into  night, 

While  the  stars  came  out  by  thousands 

In  the  summer  evening  sky, 
And  we  talked  about  the  Power 

Which  had  placed  them  thus  on  high. 


THE   WHITE    HOUSE. 

My  days  were  never  lonely, 

And  my  nights  were  never  long ; 

For  I  woke  at  early  dawning, 

With  the  lark's  clear  matin  song. 

I  loved  the  blessed  sunlight, 
And  the  cool,  refreshing  rain, 

Which  bud  and  blossom  prayed  for, 
And  never  prayed  in  vain. 

God  granted  all  our  wishes 
When  he  sent  our  eldest  boy, 

The  love-light  of  our  cottage, 
Our  crowning  sheaf  of  joy. 

I  scarcely  missed  the  sun-shine, 
Or  the  star-lit  summer  skies, 

My  sunshine  lay  beside  me, 
My  stars  were  baby's  eyes. 


10  OVER   THE    HILL  TO 

The  cares  my  darling  brought  me, 
Were  a  mother's  toil  of  love ; 

He  seemed  an  angel  lent  me 

From  the  Heavenly  courts  above. 

I  prayed  for  strength  to  help  me 

In  my  training  of  a  man, 
To  mould  and  guide  his  nature 

As  a  mother  only  can. 

It  seemed  so  strange  that  mothers 
This  duty  dared  to  shirk, 

Surely  a  soul  to  care  for, 
Is  woman's  noblest  work  ! 

But  there  came  another  shortly, 
And  another  followed  still; 

And  feeble  human  nature 

Crushed  down  God-given  will. 


THE   WHITE    HOUSE.  11 

These  treasures  all  were  welcome, 
But  my  house  of  flesh  was  weak, 

And  the  cunning  youngsters  knew  it, 
Before  they  learned  to  speak. 

My  high  resolves  soon  vanished, 

My  prayers  grew  faint  and  low; 
I  went  drifting  through  the  shallows. 

O  o  / 

Where  many  mothers  go. 

And  then  the  last  was  given, 

Another  sturdy  son  ; 
I  had  prayed  so  for  a  daughter, 

But  God  still  granted  none. 

My  grief  broke  out  in  sobbing, 
That  I  felt  was  wrong  to  do ; 

And  my  husband  said,  "  This  baby 
May  be  son  and  daughter,  too ; 


12  OVER   THE    HILL   TO 

"  God  knoweth  best,  my  darling, 
So  trust  Him  to  the  end  ; 

You  will  find  in  the  hereafter, 
He  chastens  as  a  friend.  " 

The  blessed  little  children, 
They  bring  their  love  along, 

It  enfolds  them  as  a  blanket, 
And  gladdens  like  a  song. 

My  tiny  disappointment 
Became  my  crowning  joy : 

The  longed-for  daughter  could  not 
Have  been  dearer  than  my  boy. 

He  filled  my  inmost  being 

With  a  love  so  strong  and  deep, 

That  it  quite  enthralled  my  senses, 
And  wrapped  my  soul  in  sleep. 


THE   WHITE    HOUSE.  13 

I  could  not  see,  my  husband 

Was  failing  day  by  day, 
That  the  angel  on  the  threshold 

Was  calling  him  away. 

He  was  very  still  and  patient, 

He  made  no  moan  nor  sigh, 
But  he  put  his  house  in  order, 

And  then  laid  him  down  to  die. 

And  so  I  learned  the  meaning 
Of  that  bitter  word  "  alone,  " 

My  children  shrieked  with  sorrow, 
But  my  heart  seemed  turned  to  stone. 

Kind  friends  soon  came  about  me, 
But  I  cared  not  what  they  said  ; 

The  living  crowded  on  me, 

When  my  heart  was  with  the  dead, 


14  OVER    THE    HILL   TO 

They  mourned  my  sad  bereavement, 
And  said,   "  It  was  a  shame 

That  the  babe  was  in  the  cradle ; 
What  a  pity  that  he  came ; 

The  other  boys  might  help  me, 
But  he  seemed  a  weakly  mite ; 

'Twould  be  better  if  the  good  Lord 
Were  to  take  him  out  of  sight.  " 

Back  from  deep  wells  of  sorrow, 
Came  the  spirit  of  my  youth, 

And  I  spake  out  in  my  anguish, 
Some  bitter  words  of  truth  : 

"  My  last  God-given  treasure 

Should  be  my  care  through  life ; 

I  would  atone  as  mother, 

For  my  negligence  as  wife.  " 


THE   WHITE    HOUSE.  15 

I  asked  them  not  for  pity, 

I  was  richer  far  than  they  ; 
The  angel  left  my  children, 

When  he  bore  my  love  away. 

So  they  took  offence  and  left  me ; 

And  I  prayed  with  heart  and  might, 
That  God  would  stand  beside  me, 

And  guide  my  plans  aright. 

They  were  troubled  years  that  followed, 
But  I  struggled  on  with  hope. 

Looking  forward  to  the  mountain, 
And  not  backward  down  the  slope ; 

My  boys  were  brave  and  loving, 
And  we  fairly  barred  the  door 

Against  the-  wolves  of  famine, 
That  forever  track  the  poor, 


16  OVER   THE   HILL   TO 

We  loved  each  other  better, 
For  the  trials  that  we  shared, 

And  amid  our  many  crosses, 
We  never  once  despaired. 

My  elder  boys  were  workers, 
And  had  no  troubled  divan  is, 

But  my  baby  thought  and  pondered, 
Over  many  wondrous  schemes. 

"  He  would  grow  to  manhood  short!}', 
And  would  make  himself  a  name; 

I  should  see  it  bright  emblazoned, 
On  the  fairest  scroll  of  fame ; 

I  should  have  a  queenly  palace, 
And  should  live  in  pride  and  state, 

It  was  coming  in  the  future, 
He  would  wrestle  it  from  fate. 


THE    WHITE    HOUSE.  17 

Loud  his  brothers  laughed  and  taunted, 

o  i 

But  he  bore  it  with  a  smile, 
Brought  his  books  and  read  and  pondered, 
Planning  deeply  all  the  while. 

Presently  they  called  him  "laggard," 
Said  he  "  shirked  his  share  of  toil," 

Said  he  was  "  a  thriftless  scholar, 
And  had  better  till  the  soil." 

Laughed  to  scorn  his  learned  phrases, 
Called  him  "  milk-sop  "  to  his  face. 

But  he  bore  it  like  a  martyr, 

Patiently,  with  Christ-like  grace. 

Read  to  them  the  old-time  story, 
Record  from  Egyptian  lands, 

Where  a  nation  rose  to  power, 

Through  a  younger  brother's  hands. 


18  OVER    THE    HILL    TO 

Then  he  kissed  me,  bade  God  bless  me, 
Laid  his  books  aside  with  care, 

And  went  out  amid  the  toilers, 
Working  well  as  any  there. 

Back  again,  when  evening  shadows, 

Fell  upon  the  bars  of  gold 
And  athwart  the  purple  twilight, 

Down  the  veil  of  darkness  rolled. 

He  came  blithely  ;  all  the  love-light 

Of  his  blessed  happy  heart 
Making  bright  my  tiny  cottage^ 

For  we  could  not  live  apart, 

Came  to  greet  me,  clasp  me  fondly, 
Show  me  with  a  look  of  pride, 

The  first  earnings  of  his  boyhood, 
Came  to  place  them  at  my  side, 


THE   WHITE    HOUSE.  19 

All  he  gave  me,  speaking  softly, 
"  Of  the  mansion  he  would  own, 

Where  I  should  be  honored  mistress, 
AY  here  I  should  not  be  alone, 

But  should  live  among  the  noble, 
Gifted,  great,  in  all  the  land." 

And  his  brothers  laughed  out  loudly 
At  his  palace  made  of  sand. 

Far  into  the  midnight  darkness, 

I  could  see  his  candle  shine, 
Knew  he  worked,  and  planned  and  studied 

For  this  lordly  home  of  mine. 

Then  I  wondered  not  that  Mary 
Pondered  o'er  her  God-child's  fate, 

Walked  forever  in  his  shadow, 

Watched  him  early,  watched  him  late. 


20  OVER   THE    HILL   TO 

Felt  within  her  bosom  glowing, 

All  the  glory  and  the  pride, 
Of  his  wondrous  earthly  mission, 

Though  she  knew  not  aught  beside. 

And  I  wondered  if  this  angel, 
Who  had  lain  so  near  my  heart 

Might  become  a  Christ's  evangel, 
One  who  chose  the  better  part. 

He  revered  things  good  and  holy, 

Joined  the  throng  who  knelt  in  prayer, 

Grew  in  strength,  increased  in  stature, 
Did  what  any  man  could  dare. 

Then  I  listened,  weeping  softly, 
With  a  mingled  fear  and  joy, 

When  I  heard  him  pray  in  meeting, 
And  I  knew  it  was  my  boy. 


'THE   WHITE    HOUSE.  21 

Wider,  farther,  crept  the  story, 
Of  the  widow's  youngest  son, 

And  men  praised  him  for  his  courage, 
For  the  victory  nobly  won. 

He  had  battled  long  and  bravely, 
'Gainst  an  adverse  wind  and  tide, 

But  his  cry  was  "  on  and  upward," 
And  he  heeded  nought  beside. 

Many  summers  came  and  vanished, 
He  had  won  his  scroll  of  fame, 

And  his  college  halls  resounded 
With  the  echo  of  his  name. 

Then  the  love  of  early  manhood, 
Thrilled  him  to  his  finger  tips, 

And  I  heard  the  "old,  old  story," 
From  my  cherished  darling's  lips. 


22  OVER   THE   HILL   TO 

Half  in  gladness,  half  in  sorrow, 

Sat  I.  listening  to  the  tale, 

>  ~ 

Feeling  all  at  once  the  knowledge, 
I  was  passing  down  the  vale; 

Feeling  that  my  spring  had  vanished, 
And  my  summer  lost  its  bloom, 

And  with  autumn's  fruitful  harvest, 
I  would  ripen  for  the  tomb. 

So  I  loved  my  gentle  daughter, 

Loved  her  for  the  joy  she  brought, 
And  \ve  harmonized  together, 

o 

Care  of  him  our  constant  thought. 

Very  strong  and  true,  she  loved  him, 
Side  by  side  they  climbed  the  height, 

But  within,  my  heart,  I  whispered 
'Twas  to  me  he  owed  his  might. 


THE    WHITE    HOUSE.  23 

Mine  the  hand  that  fed  and  nourished 
All  the  good  within  his  soul, 

I  had  trained  his  noble  spirit, 
She  might  help  him  to  its  goal. 

Soon  the  Nation  called  for  soldiers, 
And  I  buckled  on  his  sword, 

Though  my  spirit  groaned  and  fainted, 
And  my  tears  like  torrents  poured. 

Prayed  I  to  the  God  of  battles, 
Prayed  with  special  trustful  faith, 

And  my  earnest  prayer  was  answered 
As  the  blessed  scripture  saith, 

"  Ask  in  faith,  and  nothing  doubting, 
God  will  answer,  He  will  hear; 

Perfect  love,"  the  Saviour  tells  us, 
"Casteth  out  all  shade  of  fear.  " 


24  OVER   THE    HILL    TO 

Then  the  State  which  loved  him  dearly, 
Sent  him  to  protect  her  name, 

And  I  thought  that  now  my  baby, 
Had  attained  his  highest  fame. 

But  to-day  I  sat  behind  him, 

While  the  Nation  hailed  him  chief, 

And  the  roll  of  human  greatness, 
Has  unclosed  its  final  leaf. 

"  Surely  now,"  I  thought  within  me 
"  He'll  forget  me  in  his  pride  ;  " 

But  the  speech  was  scarcely  over, 
When  I  found  him  at  my  side. 

Low  he  bent  his  head  to  kiss  me, 
Whispered  soft  within  my  ear, 

"I  have  won  the  station  for  you, 
Bless  me  quickly,  mother  dear/' 


THE    WHITE    HOUSE.  25 

Now  I  live  within  the  mansion, 
That  he  promised  years  before, 

And  I  see  the  great  and  gifted, 
Crowd  within  its  open  door, 

And  I  pray  God's  choicest  blessings 
May  sustain  him  where  he  stands, 

Make  him  wiser  than  the  rulers 
Of  less  favored  foreign  lands. 

o 

Give  him  wisdom,  give  him  foresight, 
To  descry  the  Nation's  needs, 

So  that  men  may  follow  gladly, 
Where  his  Christian  courage  leads. 

Let  me  die  while  through  our  country, 

Rings  the  echo  of  his  name, 
Lauded  for  its  truth  and  goodness  ; 

That  will  prove  undying  fame. 


26  OVER   THE    HILL. 

Back  through  all  the  happy  summers, 
Goes  my  heart  in  dreams  to-night, 

And  I  stand  beside  his  cradle, 
In  that  gray  December  light; 

When  the  neighbors  looked  with  pity 
On  the  helpless  baby  there, 

And  concluded  that  my  burden 
Would  be  more  than  I  could  bear. 

Then  my  husband's  admonition, 
Comes  to  me  from  realms  above, 

"Trust  the  Father!  when  he  chastens, 
He  is  leading  us  in  love." 

Very  softly  move  the  shadows, 
Rolls  away  the  tide  of  years, 

And  I  wake  to  find  his  children, 
Marvelling  at  Grandma's  tears. 

MARCH  4,  1881. 


YB   13663 


M191839 

A4 

o 


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